398 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Ocr., 1901. 
Poultry. 
A QUEENSLAND DUCK FARM. 
Tt is no less remarkable than true that people very often know more about, 
what is passing in other States and countries than about what is going on at 
their own doors. A case in point is the establishment of a large duck farm an 
their Belmont fellmongery by Messrs. Baynes Bros., of South Brisbane ang 
Queensport. This enterprising firm some time ago visited the immense duek 
farm of the Messrs. Ellis at Botany, New South Wales, and were not long in 
arriving at the conclusion that a most profitable export business could be done. 
in this line in connection with their other export operations. The result wag. 
that they set quietly to work and prepared some 10 acres of their large Belmont 
property for utilisation as a duck farm on a large scale. Sceptics, mindful of 
the non-success of poultry farms, doubted the wisdom of this venture, but the 
Messrs. Baynes are too shrewd as business men to enter upon any line which, 
has not been thoroughly thought out and studied from all points of view. 
Consequently they imported a number of the best breeds of stud ducks froin, 
the South, placed a reliable expert in charge, and the result has been so 
satisfactory that the operations are being continued on a larger scale, Last 
month, at Mr. Ernest Baynes’ invitation, we paid a visit to the farm, which is. 
situated some 6 miles from the city on what is known as Doughboy Creek. The. 
land is excellently situated for the purpose, having plenty of gently sloping- 
knolls and an abundant supply of fresh water. Part of the land is occupied. 
by their fellmongering establishment, and part by a pig farm, where there are: 
about 3,000 well-bred pigs, principally of the Berkshire type. 
At present, 10 acres have been apportioned to the duck farm. H ere the. 
necessary buildings have been erected, and yards and runs fenced off. None of 
the dividing fences are over 2 feet in height, as the ordinary ducks never think 
of flying over any low obstruction. The Muscovies, however, will take lone 
flights, and these are provided for in runs with high wire-net fences, These- 
also, as well as the stud Pekins, have full liberty to swim in a broad stretch of 
the creek, although confined between wire fences. The remainder haye a small 
area of water fenced off for them, where they have just room to take a bath ; 
and this portion can be closed against them when necessary. The ducks: 
intended for sale are not allowed to enter the water at all, neither are the 
ducklings permitted the luxury of a swim. In each yard there are drinking- 
troughs and a “eeding-floor. his floor is about 3 inches high, 8 feet long, and 
3 feet wide, cemented, with no raised sides. The food is scattered on this, and,. 
when feeding time is over, it is carefully swept clean. No sloppy food is given. 
In the shed devoted to preparing food, there are two boilers for boiling liver, 
wheat, barley,‘ pumpkins, lucerne, and other vegetable matter. Pollard and 
oat-dust are fed dry. The liver is cut into small pieces, and the whole is mixed 
in a large trough, with a certain proportion of sand. When ready for use, this. 
mixture contains very little moisture. It is exceedingly nutritious and 
fattening, as is evidenced by the abnormal size of the birds, which look far 
more like geese than ducks. The majority are of immense size. The different 
varieties are kept separate. There are Aylesburys, Pekins, Muscovies, and a 
new breed not before seen in Queensland, éalled Buff Orpingtons. There are, 
as yet, only a few of these, which are valued, as a novelty, at 2 guineas each. 
They are large, handsome birds, with buff plumage and heads. As yet, there: 
are no Indian Runners, but these are to be shortly added. 
